[Jager]

Cristiano Lucarelli has blasted Livorno chief Aldo Spinelli following his brother’s departure and admits an eleventh hour move to Spurs is still possible.

“My instinct is telling me to leave this place immediately, but my heart is pushing me to stay with the Amaranto,” last year’s Capocannoniere told reporters as he handed back the captain’s armband.


The striker was on target in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Lecce and confessed after the game that he was considering offers from Tottenham and Newcastle United. His price-tag is believed to have reached £6m after he topped the Serie A scorers’ charts with 24 goals last term.


The situation had calmed over the weekend, but this afternoon degenerated wildly with news that Lucarelli had skipped the training session and called a Press Conference for this evening.


“Spinelli has hurt me deeply by suggesting I was only after money. Those who know me are aware that financial status means nothing as far as I am concerned. In two years at Torino I could’ve earned as much as it took me five seasons to get with Livorno and I rejected prestigious overseas offers.”


Even after this damning Press Conference, Lucarelli’s future at the Stadio Picchi is far from certain, as negotiations with Tottenham are continuing.


“Spurs have put in a request for me,” he continued. “If Livorno reach an agreement with the club for my sale, I don’t know if I’d sign the contract. I am deeply disappointed in the way President Spinelli has treated me and the entire team.”


Part of the problem is the decision of Cristiano’s brother Alessandro – also a born and bred Livorno supporter – to complete a permanent move to Reggina.


“President Spinelli waged war on me, despite the fact I scored four goals,” said the 28-year-old defender. “He tried to limit how much time I spent on the field and I was put in a position where I had to leave.”


There have also been some other transfer moves this afternoon, as Empoli have signed Fiorentina benchwarmer Christian Riganò on loan. The 31-year-old forward was a key figure in the Viola’s promotion from Serie C2 to the top flight, scoring 57 goals in 94 League appearances, but failed to find space over the last year.


Inter have captured Piacenza goalkeeper Paolo Orlandoni, putting further pressure on Francesco Toldo and new Brazilian shot-stopper Julio Cesar. It’s a return for the 33-year-old, who grew up in the Nerazzurri youth system.


Lecce added to their arsenal of attacking midfielders with the arrival of Gennaro Del Vecchio. The 27-year-old was picked up by Sampdoria following the financial collapse of Perugia and has now been loaned out to the Stadio Via del Mare outfit.


Napoli have signed Parma youth product Gaetano Grieco, who spent last season on loan at Foggia, on a permanent deal.

Its safe to assume that if Luccarelli leaves Livorno, they are in serious trouble.

If he has a descent season, I see him playing with one of the three "sisters" in by next year.